Transpetro picks start-up yard to build waterways fleet

The 20 pusher-tugs and 80 ethanol barges will be built by Estaleiro RioTiete, a consortium formed by Rio Maguari SA / SS and Estre Petroleum Administration, that put in a bid of U.S. $ 239.1 million.

Each train of one pushboat and four barges will have a capacity of 7.6 million liters. They will operate on the Parana-Tiete river system, which runs through the center of Brazil's main sugarcane and ethanol producing region.

Formal signing of the shipbuilding contract is expected next month. The shipyard will start construction early next year and units are expected to start delivering in th last quarter of 2011.

The new yard will be built on the banks of the Parana-Tiete in the city of Aracatuba.